Parliament hears pleas to legalise horn trade
The fight against rhino poaching shifted to parliament recently when members of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs heard oral submissions on various strategies...
SA can grow 2 million tons of soya beans by 2020
South Africa’s Protein Research Foundation (PRF), which researches and promotes the local production and processing of plant-based proteins, believes the country could, and should,...
Agri schools hampered by money, skills
Sean Christie looks at the reasons for the decline in the number of agri students in our agricultural schools.
Zuma, government officials held in contempt of court
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is holding 14 parties in contempt of court, including President Jacob Zuma, ministers for the department of agriculture, the department...
Study on restitution disputed by ministry
A study by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) claims that the number of hectares transferred through the land restitution programme could...
Maize plantings up on expectations of high exports
The 10,87% increase in total maize plantings during the 2011/12 summer compared to the 2010/11 summer was mainly driven by expectations of higher prices...
All clear for Dusi paddlers
Efforts by the Dusi Umgeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) to restore the health of Durban’s uMngeni River between Midmar Dam and Blue Lagoon are paying...
Nam Dairy producers brace for milk war
Namibia dairy producers have warned against dumping tactics by South African milk companies after an industry protection measure on long-life milk (UHT) lapsed on...
Tensions simmer over halaal pork saga
The Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust (MJCHT), which issues and regulates halaal certificates in South Africa, has come under fire for not being diligent...
A challenging year ahead for agribusinesses
A fragile international economy, slow economic growth rate, the high cost of doing business in South Africa and political uncertainties will be some of...
African swine fever breaks out in informal piggeries
The Delmas and Sundra districts in Mpumalanga have been placed under quarantine after pigs with African swine fever were found in nine different informal piggeries in the region.
Port tariff hikes will hurt exports, job growth
Transnet is forging ahead with its decision to implement an 18,06% port tariff increase for the 2012/13 financial year. It has defended the proposed stiff hike, saying it’s necessary to...
Namibia-China beef agreement of ‘dubious value’
A five-year agricultural trade agreement between Namibia and China, widely publicised in the Namibian media, is reportedly of no immediate use to beef exporters.
International community lax to respond to food crisis
The international community is avoiding deeper structural reforms in agriculture, leaving the world at risk of another devastating food crisis, according to a new report from the Institute for Agriculture...
Stalk borers attack ‘insect-resistant’ cultivars
Grain producers in the eastern and north-western Free State are concerned about stalk borer infestations in Bt maize cultivars with the MON 810 gene,...
IDC to spend billions on developing SA agro-processing
South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) intends spending around R4,5 billion over the next five years to develop the country’s agro-processing sector.
Rates on hold as inflation stabilises
Farmers and agribusinesses who, according to the latest figures, hold debt of more than R78 billion, got some welcome news recently when the Reserve Bank announced interest rates will be...
Tyre plan will add cost burden to farming
Water and environmental affairs minister Edna Molewa’s new plan for recycling tyres – the Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management plan – could impose a significant cost on farmers, especially those...
